i talked to joe lieberman, an independent from connecticut who is laughed -- left to bernie sanders. the and a former majority leader from the democrats, an old friend of mine. i really determined that i would be allowed to be independent. finally, i had a lengthy conversation with harry reid. and i became assured -- i assured myself and i have reasonable confidence that, you know, i do not vote the party line on some issue, i am not going to lose my committee assignments. that was how the decision was made. it was not an easy one, but i think in the end, had to go one way or the other. but caucusing, from my point of view, i did not have to sign anything. there's no blood oath. there is no document. nothing, that is who i am going to be meeting with, but i am going to call them as i see them. that is why i am here. i will make my own decisions independently based upon the best information that i can have the time. >host: las vegas, democrats line, good morning. caller: i want to know if you can support bringing back earmarks to get congressman to talk to each other again? guest: bri